Morning News

Martínez and Floyd in Better Health March 16 New York Times (registration required): "Martínez forged ahead in his recovery, throwing batting practice for the first time this season. Afterward he said that he felt great and that he intended to throw another session before pitching in a game toward the end of next week." Mar-toe-nez Aces BP Test March 16 New York Post (registration required): "Yesterday, though, Martinez threw batting practice at Tradition Field. The Mets ace, suffering from an ailing right big toe, faced minor leaguers Corey Coles and Rafael Arroyo and fired 61 pitches without a problem." Pedro puts best toe forward March 16 New York Daily News: "Martinez, whose normal preparation has been slowed this spring by a nagging injury to his right big toe, officially put himself on the clock in the race to ready himself for Opening Day after throwing 61 pitches of batting practice to the two low-level prospects on Field 2 yesterday at Tradition Field." It's big for Martinez, kids March 16 Newsday: "Yesterday's media vigil was created because Martinez threw to hitters for the first time in spring training. His opponents were two minor-leaguers: outfielder Corey Coles, a lefthanded hitter, and catcher Rafael Arroyo, a righthanded hitter." Martinez faces hitters, delivers positive report March 16 Newark Star-Ledger (registration required): "No, what mattered most to the Mets had taken place a couple of hours before that game's first pitch on wind-swept Field No. 2, where Pedro Martinez -- the alpha and omega for a team with big plans this season -- finally faced hitters for the first time this spring." Pedro looks good March 16 Bergen Record (registration required): "Martinez, with an L-shaped protective screen in front of him, threw 61 pitches to Coles and minor league catcher Rafael Arroyo." Mets' Martinez feels good after 61-Pitch session March 16 Journal News: "On a day that started with the potential to shape their season in a bad way, the Mets received encouraging news on two health fronts yesterday when Pedro Martinez threw to hitters for the first time and Cliff Floyd's second-opinion kidney exam brought relief to the outfielder." Pedro's good word boosts Jacobs' career March 16 Palm Beach Post: "From the father he barely knew to the high school coach who always believed in him, Mike Jacobs credits a lot of people for molding him into a baseball player. But he admits that he might not have been in line to win the job at first base for the Florida Marlins if Pedro Martinez hadn't gone to bat for him last summer." Floyd's Kidneys Fine March 16 New York Post (registration required): "Cliff Floyd's kidneys now appear to be in good condition." Floyd gets healthy report March 16 New York Daily News: "Cliff Floyd received the news he expected, but the Mets outfielder clearly was relieved after tests last week with a local specialist confirmed he is not in immediate danger of any serious kidney problems." Floyd pleased kidneys aren't as bad as thought March 16 Newsday: "Cliff Floyd said he had 'a good feeling' about the news that awaited him when he walked into the offices of kidney specialist Dr. Zeidy Roche yesterday morning." Good news boosts Floyd's sails March 16 Bergen Record (registration required): "Floyd had learned a week earlier that his kidney function had deteriorated to just 48 percent, setting off a stressful time for his family." Doctor's report relieves Floyd March 16 Newark Star-Ledger (registration required): "Cliff Floyd nosed his Mercedes SL 500 as close to the Mets' clubhouse door as he possibly could, giving everyone the impression he wouldn't be staying long." New York's 'Other' third baseman making noise March 16 USA Today: "David Wright is the fresh-faced third baseman on the verge of proving the Big Apple can be the perfect ingredient for an apple-pie image. He's the 23-year-old who can make every play and signs every autograph. For the Mets." Graffanino frustrated March 16 Boston Globe (scroll down): "The Sox, Epstein indicated, are not close to moving man-without-a-position Tony Graffanino. And Graffanino, a gracious and likable teammate, is beginning to struggle with the unknown... The Cubs, Marlins, and Mets, among other teams, are believed to be interested in Graffanino." Wells sure to draw a crowd March 16 Providence Journal (registration required): "There figures to be plenty of interest in David Wells' outing today. Some of it will be on the part of the Red Sox; some of it will be on the part of teams interested in dealing for him... There's enough interest in Graffanino -- Marlins, Cubs, Mets -- that the Sox believe they can make a deal for him." Met Net Still Not Set Yet March 16 New York Post (registration required): "As of last night, the deal between SportsNet New York, the Mets' new network, and Cablevision still was not completed." Wilpon's station set for airwaves March 16 New York Daily News: "After years of being just a dream, an idea on a drawing board for Mets owner Fred Wilpon, SportsNet New York launches today, becoming the fourth regional sports network serving local fans." SNY agreement still not finished as launch nears March 16 Newsday: "SportsNet New York, the area's newest regional sports network, had not finalized a carriage agreement with Cablevision as of early last evening, less than 24 hours before its official launch." Network to debut, sort of March 16 Journal News: "When Mets fan Vinny Milillo watched Yankees fans with Cablevision suffer in 2002 when the YES Network struggled to gain carriage on Cablevision, he can admit it made him smile. But now the 30-year-old IT professional from Mahopac can offer some true compassion."